Welcome To External Fund Page
Building Capacity in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Education and Research through Partnership Program in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe for Agricultural Transformation
Partner Institutions: Kenya, Ethiopia, Palestine, Italy, Sweden, SerbiaProject Details
- Lead Institution: Egerton University, Kenya
- Co-Principal Investigator (OBU): Amin Mohammed
- Project Members (OBU): Sultan Usman, Leyila Nasir, Mulat Aydagnuhm, Abdela Usmael
- Project Duration: 1 March 2024 – 28 February 2027
- Total Budget: €787,575
Overall Goal
The overall goal of the Project is to enhance the quality, relevance, and impact of higher education in plant breeding and biotechnology through curriculum modernization, research infrastructure development, capacity building, and cross-regional partnerships that advance agricultural productivity and innovation.
Specific Objectives
To achieve its mission and vision, the BREEDTECH Project has set the following specific objectives:
- Curriculum Development and Review
To review, update, and harmonize curricula in plant breeding and biotechnology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to align with international standards and emerging technological advancements.
- Strengthening Research Infrastructure:
To upgrade biotechnology and plant breeding laboratories by providing modern equipment and establishing BREEDTECH incubators to support innovation and practical learning.
- Capacity Building and Training
To build technical and academic competence of faculty, researchers, and students through mobility programs, specialized training, and collaborative mentorship with partner institutions in Europe.
- Collaborative Research and Supervision
To promote joint research projects and co-supervision of postgraduate theses between African, Middle Eastern, and European universities, enhancing research quality and relevance.
- Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination
To organize workshops, seminars, and dissemination events to share experiences, best practices, and innovations in plant breeding and biotechnology.
- Partnership and Networking:
To foster sustainable partnerships between higher education institutions, research centers, and industries to enhance the application of biotechnological innovations for agricultural transformation.
- Contribution to Sustainable Development
To contribute towards achieving regional and global food security, climate resilience, and socio-economic development through improved plant breeding capacity and knowledge exchange.
Summary of BREEDTECH Project Events
- Project Kick-off Meeting – April 2024 (Egerton University, Kenya)
The first official activity of the BREEDTECH Project was the Kick-off Meeting held at Egerton University, Kenya, in April 2024.
This inaugural event marked the launch of the three-year Erasmus+–funded initiative, bringing together project partners from Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The meeting outlined project objectives, work packages, and implementation strategies aimed at strengthening education and research in plant breeding and biotechnology.[/eikra-vc-text-title][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Second Project Management Meeting – November 17–19, 2024 (Haramaya
University, Ethiopia)
The Second International Project Management Meeting was hosted by Haramaya
University with support from Oda Bultum University. Representatives from all partner
institutions including Kenya, Ethiopia, Palestine, Italy, Sweden, and Serbia participated..
Dr. Amin Mohammed (Co-Principal Investigator, OBU) presented a pilot research project,
while Prof. Muktar Mohammed (President, OBU) emphasized the importance of
partnership and innovation in advancing food security and sustainable agriculture.
3. Internal Curriculum Review Workshop – October 2024 (Oda Bultum University, Ethiopia)
Oda Bultum University conducted an Internal Curriculum Review Workshop for launching the
MSc Program in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology under the College of Agriculture. The
workshop was funded by the BREEDTECH Project and aimed at developing a modern, responsive
curriculum aligned with contemporary needs in plant breeding and biotechnology.
External Curriculum Review Workshop – November 1, 2024 (Oda Bultum University,
Ethiopia)
Following the internal review, Oda Bultum University, in collaboration with the
BREEDTECH Project, held an External Curriculum Review Workshop for the MSc in
Plant Breeding and Biotechnogy program.
The event brought together national and international scholars and experts from various
universities and research centers. The curriculum was presented by Dr. Meseret Elias and
critically reviewed by external experts including Prof. Wasu Mohammed (Haramaya
University), Dr. Mulusaw Fikire (Purdue University, USA), and Dr. Gemechu
(Holeta
Agricultural Research Center).
For further enrichment of the curriculum, general discussion was led by Amin Mohammed
(PhD), Ahmedin Abdurehman (PhD) and Mr. Belay Dinsa, and constructive comments,
suggestions and questions have been raised by professional participants and feedbacks have
also been reflected by curriculum developers.
Capacity Building Training on Advanced Plant Breeding and Biotechnology at Swedish
University of Agricultural Science (from June 22 to 28, 2025)
Oda Bultum University Staffs Participated on Capacity Building Training on Advanced Plant
Breeding and Biotechnology at Swedish University of Agricultural Science
Staff Training Workshop Participation – Pisa, Italy
The BREEDTECH Project team from Oda Bultum University, in collaboration with counterparts
from Haramaya University, took part in a staff capacity-building workshop organized by the
Institute of Plant Sciences Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (SSSA), Pisa, Italy. The training, held
from September 22 to 30, 2025, was implemented under Work Package 2 (WP2): Capacity
Building and Equipment Upgrade, which SSSA coordinates within the BREEDTECH
consortium.
Second Student Training Workshop (22–26 September 2025)-Serbia
As part of the BREEDTECH project activities, the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops
(IFVCNS), Novi Sad, Serbia, hosted the second student training workshop on plant breeding
and biotechnology from 22nd to 26th of September, 2025.
8. OBU participated on Erasmus+ Week 2025 for Sub-saharan Africa in Addis Abeba
From 20–22 May 2025, the Regional Erasmus+ Week for Sub-Saharan Africa was held in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, featuring the Cluster Meeting and Contact-Making Seminar. The
event brought together higher education institutions, vocational and training providers, youth
organizations, national focal points, and EU programme stakeholders from across Sub-Saharan
Africa and Europe.
Held under the theme “The Role of Education in the Green Transition,” the programme focused
on how education, research, training, and mobility initiatives can drive sustainable development,
combat climate change, and promote green job creation. Dr. Amin Mohammed, Co-Principal
Investigator of the Breedtech Project, actively participated in the event, representing Oda
Bultum University (OBU) and engaging in discussions aimed at fostering collaboration and
strengthening international partnerships.
Partners List of Project Partners
1. EGERTON UNIVERSITY (EgU), Kenya
2. LAIKIPIA UNIVERSITY (LU), Kenya,
3. HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY (HU), Ethiopia
4. ODA BULTUM UNIVERSITY (OBU), Ethiopia
5. QUDS OPEN UNIVERSITY (QOU), Palestine
6. AN-NAJAH NA TIONAL UNIVERSITY (ANNU), Palestine
7. SVERIGES LANTBRUKS UNIVERSITET (SLU), Sweden
8. PIXEL – ASSOCIAZIONE CULTURALE (Pixel), Italy
9. SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSIT ARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO SANNA (SSSA), Italy
10. INSTITUT ZA RATARSTVO I POVRT ARSTVO INSTITUT OD NACIONALNOG ZNACAJA ZA REPUBLIKU SRBIJU (IFVCNS), Serbia
Contacts
Key persons from each Institute:
1. Miriam Karwitha Charimbu (Project PI), Egerton University (EgU), Kenya
2. Paul Kimurto, Egerton University (EgU), Kenya
3. Abdi Mohamed, Haramaya University, Ethiopia
4. Alok Kumar, Haramaya University, Ethiopia
5. Kedisena Sibsibe, Haramaya University, Ethiopia
6. Amin Mohammed, Oda Bultum University, Ethiopia
7. Sultan Usman, Oda Bultum University, Ethiopia
8. Obwanga Benson, Laikipia University, Kenya
9. Daniel Pande, Laikipia University, Kenya
10. Aziz Abdelkareem Salameh, Al Quds Open University, Palestine
11. Randa Abdelhay, Al Quds Open University, Palestine
12. Munqez Jamil, An-Najah National University (ANNU), Palestine
13. Tawfiq Qubbaj, An-Najah National University (ANNU), Palestine
14. Ramesh Raju Vetukuri, SLU, Sweden
15. Farideh Ghadamgahi, SLU, Sweden
16. Elisabetta Delle Donne, Pixel, Italy
17. Lorenzo Martellini, Pixel, Italy
18. Matteo Dell Acqua, Sant’Anna, Italy
19. Mercy Wairimu Macharia, Sant’Anna, Italy
20. Dragana Miladinovic, Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad (IFVCNS),
Key targets of the project: (3 years project: 2024-2027)
1. Curriculum review/development of Plant Breeding program and Biotechnology at UG
and PG levels. In case of existing curriculum review addition of Biotechnology
components in the existing curriculum
2. Strengthening the Biotechnology lab by providing funds for new equipment purchase.
3. Capacity building of staffs and students by providing training in lab of European partners.
4. 12 students (2 each from African and Palestine institute) and 24 staffs (4 each from
African and Palestine Institute) will be trained in the lab for advanced Plant Breeding and
Biotechnological tools in the lab of European partners at Sweden, Italy and Serbia.
5. MSc student research will be supported and thesis will be co-supervised with European
partners.
6. Workshop will also organize to disseminate the learning by the students to other
candidates of the University and so on.
https://breedtech.edu.ps/